Winter sat silently on the couch with the other kids, waiting awkwardly for Qrow and Yang to come back with the birthday girl, but nobody was really sure if that would happen or not. She tried to think of something to tell the kids to calm them down, make them not worry, but what exactly was she supposed to do? It didn't feel right lying to them about how everything was gonna be fine, when she had no idea what had gone wrong in the first place, even though she might've had a guess or two.
Emotions were washing over Winter, and none of them good. Guilt for bringing that stupid card in, shame for not knowing how to help, and anger at herself for sitting their like she was another kid over for Ruby's birthday.
Steps coming from down the hall made them all look up expectantly, but Ruby wasn't walking with her sister or uncle, and their faces were strained by sadness and worry, "Alright everyone, Ruby isn't feeling well and is gonna be staying in her room the rest of the night. She said she wanted you guys to enjoy the cake for her though, so at least you all get to go home nice and sugared up" Qrow explained, a forced smile on his face.
The kids looked at each other, nobody really believing the thinly veiled lie, "Maybe we should wait a little bit to see if she feels better?" Nora asked nervously, her bombastic energy nearly gone at this point.
"I don't think she's gonna feel better tonight, Nora. Come on, let's eat" Yang told the red head, not even able to fake a ghost of a smile. Blake was looking at Yang with concern, but kept her distance from the blonde as she walked past the group and into the kitchen. After a moment of hesitation, the rest of the kids slowly made their way after her.
Qrow stood in the hallway silently, his hand scratching his beard as he looked at the kids with sadness, "Ya know, this is the first time anyone outside of the family has come to one of their birthday parties. Usually it's just us three and Maria" Qrow told Winter without looking at her.
"I'm surprised, they're so friendly…" was all Winter could think to say, caught off guard by what he'd told her.
"Yeah, so was I" Qrow sighed, looking down at her and giving her a sad smile before he walked into the kitchen to help Yang.
Winter wasn't exactly sure what he'd meant by that, but at the same time, she didn't really care. All that it really meant to her was that Ruby must've had a pretty good reason to be in her room if this was her first birthday with friends. After all, she wasn't the type of girl to let others worry about her when she could avoid it.
Winter stood up slowly, not exactly sure what she could help with in the kitchen, but she wanted to do something. Winter had hardly taken two steps when her body froze, almost tripping over when her legs refused to budge any further. It was a weird sensation, but as much as she wanted to walk into the kitchen, her body simply wouldn't let her.
Winter tried again and again to walk forward, but her body wouldn't allow it. It was frustrating, her heart was beating as she squeezed her eyes tightly shut, trying to hold back tears. She wasn't sure what to do, wasn't sure what she wanted to do, she wasn't sure about anything. Well, that wasn't true. She knew one thing, a simple fact that permeated her whole being in this instance, she wanted to help Ruby.
It usually surprised her when her body moved without her consent, but when she turned on a dime and started to walk down the hallway, she knew she was what she was supposed to do. She did stop until she was at Ruby's door, bringing up her hand and knocking twice softly, her heart beating with nerves. She waited for a second, but didn't hear a response. Winter got quiet, and put her ear to the door, and listened closely. It was faint, but Winter could hear sniffles coming from in the room.
"Ruby, it's Winter, would… Would you mind if I came in and talked to you?" Winter hesitated, hoping that Ruby had heard her, "I know about the card" Winter added, hoping that the girl would say something, anything.
"You can come in…" Ruby mumbled barely loud enough for Winter to hear. She didn't wanna wait for Ruby to change her mind, so Winter opened the door and slid inside, quietly closing the door behind her.
The lights in the room were all off except for a small desk lamp which softly lit up most of the room. Winter looked around, expecting to see Ruby curled up in her bed crying, but finding the half made bed undisturbed. A small sniffle from behind her caught Winters attention, so she turned.
Ruby was sitting in her open closet underneath her hanging shirts, her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms wrapped around them like they were keeping her warm. Sitting in her lap was the small, ever fluffy Zwei, who was cuddling up to her and licking her cheek despite the makeup.
Tears were rolling down Ruby's face, and it didn't look like she was trying to stop them. Winter sat down next to Ruby, just outside of the closet, taking in the scene before her.
"Ruby, what's wrong?" Winter asked frankly, but gently, hoping to coax the girl into explaining. Ruby took in a deep breath before more tears fell down her face, her back shaking. Winter wanted to reach out and hold her, but knew that would only make things worse.
Ruby let go of one of her legs and held something out to Winter that she'd been clutching in her hand. Ruby didn't look at her as she took it out of the girl's hand, the edge of it was crumpled from how hard Ruby had been grabbing it.
It was a simple hand drawn birthday card. There was a drawing of a birthday cake on it with the number twelve drawn on like it was a large candle that was on fire. Happy Birthday! was written on the front in pristine handwriting that was almost certainly an adult's handy work.
Inside the card was a pencil drawing of Ruby's face that was shockingly good. The drawing captured her glowing smile and her bright eyes masterfully, and it was clear that it had taken a long time to draw considering the detail. Beside the drawing were the words, Happy Birthday, Ruby! I wish I could see you on your special day and how you've grown. It'll be awhile, but I know I'll see you soon. Love, Raven.
Winter reread the message before she looked at Ruby. Getting a card like this, something filled with care and thought, would mean a lot to almost any kid, it might even make a lot of kids cry. But something about this was wrong. Ruby's tears weren't happy or excited like you might expect. No, Ruby was shivering like a leaf in a never ending storm. Something was wrong.
"Ruby, what's wrong? Do you not like the card?" Winter probed, holding the card out for Ruby to take. The girl looked at the card and reached out to take it, but her hand was shaking badly, and when she tried to touch it, she flinched like it was burning hot. She turned away without taking the card, like she was ashamed.
"Ruby, talk to me, please… What're you thinking?" Winter pleaded, trying to get the girl to say anything.
Ruby looked down at Zwei and sniffled again before she started to pet his face and scratch his ears, the whole time he kept licking her cheek, "I actually got Zwei on my eighth birthday. We weren't allowed to trick or treat back then, but Yang snuck me out. She used an old blanket to make me a cape, and told everyone I was dressed up as a superhero" Ruby had a small smile on her tear covered face.
"We found him on the street, a lost puppy wandering around without a care in the world. We were worried, so we snuck him back in the house and hid him in the closet, just until we could find his owners. We thought he would bark and give himself away, but he seemed to understand. He never made a noise" Ruby held his small head in her hands, fresh tears running silently down her face again.
"We looked for a while, but never found the owners. So Yang said we could keep him, but he had to stay quiet and out of sight. Luckily he's smart, and he knew the rules. So now Zwei and I are birthday buddies, but only a few people know," Ruby smiled strongly for a second before her lip started to tremble, and all of her composure shattered into a million pieces and she buried her face in Zweis' side.
"She would've known if she didn't hate me! She found out about him and… And… I always tried to be good, it was the one time I wanted something for me, but didn't care! She never even gave me a chance! All she did was yell at me and tell me to sit in my room and be quiet! Well I did, but I had Zwei, and I had Yang, and now I don't have to be quiet! I don't have to listen to her anymore!" Ruby screamed and bawled into Zweis' side loudly, and Winter was glad Zweis fur was muffling most of the noise. She stopped yelling and hugged Zwei tighter. But he didn't seem to mind. The only noise coming from her now was moans of anguish and hurt.
Winter wanted nothing more than to hold her, stroke her hair and tell her it was ok. She pictured Weiss sitting in front of her, pictured Yang, Jaune, Ren, and even a younger version of herself, and wanted to help them all, and for God's sake she was going to try. Taking a leap, Winter reached out and put her hand on Rubys, hoping that the girl didn't have a panic attack.
"Ruby, you aren't there anymore. You don't need to be scared of her anymore, you're safe. You're with Yang, Zwei, and your silly Uncle Qrow now. Zwei doesn't have to sleep in the closet, and you don't have to be quiet anymore. In fact, we all love it when you're loud. Do you wanna know why?" Winter asked her as she rubbed her thumb gently on Ruby's hand, trying to get her to relax.
Ruby turned her head to look at Winter, snot and tears stuck to her face, but curiosity in her eyes, "Why?" It was all ruby could get out between hard breaths.
"Because, it's who you are. You're loud, fun, caring, and you're so sweet and loving. Anyone who doesn't accept that, who doesn't want you to be yourself, they don't deserve to be in your life. Don't you agree?" Winter smiled at the girl as she squeezed her hand. Ruby didn't move her hand, but she looked away sheepishly.
"I guess. She always said I was annoying… I try not to think about it, but sometimes I feel so bad for talking so much, I can't help myself though" Ruby wept.
"Then she didn't deserve to be in your life. Ruby, you're an amazing young woman with a huge heart, if you wanna be loud, then be loud! Because that's who you really are, and that's who everyone out there came here to see, you" insisted Winter, her words bringing Ruby's gaze back to her own. "You're Ruby Rose, Deadrose the first mate of the Zwei-rates, you can't let someone who doesn't care about you change who you are! You're safe, loved, and she can't hurt you anymore. You get to be you, forget whatever nonsense she told you. Listen to what someone who does care for you has to say, screw her," Winter winked at Ruby, who couldn't help but giggle at Winters words.
Ruby lifted her head up and sniffled, looking at Winter with a small smile and teary eyes. Winter moved closer and used her sleeve to wipe off some of the girls tears, with Ruby hardly batting an eye.
"There you go, much better" Winter smiled as she finished cleaning the girl up, her sleeve covered in makeup and tears. Ruby looked like she was about to say something, but stopped herself. Instead she moved Zwei off her lap and sat on her knees in front of Winter. She looked nervous, but not as terrified as she'd been a minute earlier.
Without another word Ruby leaned forward slowly and wrapped her arms around Winter's neck. Shocked didn't even begin to describe how Winter was feeling right now, it felt like her heart had stopped and she was in some weird afterlife. Not wanting to waste what could be her only chance for a real hug with this girl, Winter wrapped her arms around the small girl's frame and pulled her in tight.
"Thanks, Winter" Ruby told her quietly, pulling winter in tighter. Yang's hugs were tight and powerful, and even though she was only a kid, they could make anyone feel safe. Rubys on the other hand were gentle, warm, and filled with a sense of caring that was comforting.
Winter put her hands on Ruby's back, and even through the thick shirt she was wearing, she could still clearly feel the scars that were covering Ruby's back, and just like Yang had told her, it felt like she had more than Yang did.
Winter felt a rage burning inside of her like she hadn't known in a long time. It wasn't simple anger, it was hatred. Winter might not have known the whole story yet, but she knew that it wasn't Qrow who had caused those scars on Yang and Ruby's backs, it was Raven, and Winter could never forgive her for that.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…" Winter heard from the other side of the door. The two of them pulled away, Winter with a smile and Ruby looking at the door in confusion. Ruby got up quickly and opened the door. Standing outside were all of the kids holding a big birthday cake that was shaped like a rose that had twelve bright candles burning on top of it.
Ruby stood there with wide eyes and a slack jaw as she looked at the faces of all of her friends who were singing to her with big smiles. Winter stood next to the girl and smiled down at her as she joined in the singing.
"Happy birthday dear Ruby, happy birthday to you!" Everyone finished and watched excitedly as she took a deep breath and blew out all of the candles in one go. While everyone cheered and clapped, Ruby had a star struck look on her face as she looked around at everyone. Qrow was standing to the side looking from Winter to Ruby with a smile on his face, like he figured something like this would happen.
His look changed to one of disbelief as he looked down and saw ruby wrap her arms around his chest. He looked at Winter, almost as if he was making sure this was real. He bent down and got a better hold of his niece, wrapping her up in his arms, one of his hands resting on the back of her head as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
He started out holding her gently, almost as if she was made of glass. But when she pulled him in even tighter, he pulled her and gave her a hug with all of his strength. Ruby didn't shy away from it, instead it looked like it was relaxing her even more. Qrow closed his eyes tightly, almost like he was in pain as he hugged her tight, neither of them saying a word.
Everyone looked back and watched, with everyone there except for maybe Blake knowing exactly how much ruby hated to be touched by anyone other than her sister. But here she was, starting a hug with her uncle. Winter smiled as she watched the two of them and wondered, was this the first hug the two of them had ever shared?